Chapter 5: Constitutional Law

1. Chapter 5: Constitutional Law

2. History • Before the Revolutionary War, States wanted a confederation with weak national government and very limited powers. • After the war, in 1787, the States voted to amend Articles of Confederation and create a new, federal government that shared power with States.

3. §1: Constitutional Powers of Government • Constitution established a federal form of government with checks and balances among three branches: executive, legislative and judicial.

4. Constitutional Powers of Government • National government has limited, enumerated powers delegated from States. • Privileges and Immunities Clause (Art. IV §2) • Full Faith and Credit Clause (Art. IV §1)

5. U.S. Commerce Clause • Power to regulate interstate commerce defined in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824). • Expansion to private businesses began with Wickard v. Fillburn (1942).Today, Commerce Clause it authorizes the national government to regulate virtually any business enterprise, including internet. Limits: U.S. v. Lopez (1995). • Medical marijuana and the Commerce Clause.

6. State Actions • States possess inherent police powers to regulate health, safety, public order, morals and general welfare. • “Dormant” Commerce Clause. • State laws that substantially interfere with interstate commerce will be struck down.

7. Supremacy Clause and Federal Preemption • Article VI of the Constitution “Supreme Law of the Land.” • In case of direct conflict between state and federal law, state law is invalid. • Preemption and State Regulation aimed at Global Warming. • Congress can preempt states. • Federal Taxing and Spending Powers.

8. §2: Business and the Bill of Rights • Bill of Rights are not absolute. • Originally the Bill of Rights was a limit on the national government’s powers. • During the early 1900’s, the Supreme Court applied the Bill of Rights to the States via the “due process” clause of the 14th amendment.

9. Freedom of Speech • Afforded highest protection by courts. • Symbolic Speech. “Flag Burning in Johnson v. Texas.”

10. Corporate Political Speech Afforded significant protection by the first amendment but not to the degree of speech of natural persons. • First National v. Bellotti (1978). • Consolidated Edison v. Public Service Commission (1980).

11. Commercial Speech • Advertising is protected speech. • Case 5.1 Bad Frog Brewery, Inc. v. New York State Liquor Authority (1998). • Restrictions must: • Implement substantial government interest; • Directly advance that interest; and • Go no further than necessary.

12. Unprotected Speech • Certain types of speech are not protected by the first amendment: • Slander or Defamation. Case 5.2 Lott v. Levitt (2007). • Obscene Speech (Miller v. California). • Fighting Words. • Attempts at Regulating Online Obscenity. • CDA, COPA, Children’s Internet Protection Act. • Filtering Software in public libraries.

13. Freedom of Religion • First amendment many neither prohibit the “establishment” nor prohibit the “free exercise” of religion. • The first amendment does not require complete “separation of church and state.”

14. Freedom of Religion • First amendment mandates accommodation of all religions and forbids hostility toward any. • See, Zorach v. Clauson (1952) and Lynch v. Donnelly (1984). • First amendment guarantees the “free exercise” of religion. • Employers must reasonably accommodate beliefs as long as employee has sincerely held beliefs. See Frazee v. Illinois (1989).

15. Searches and Seizures • Fourth amendment requires warrant with “probable cause.” • Warrantless exceptions exist for “evanescent” evidence. • Searches of Business: generally business inspectors must have a warrant. • Case 5.3 U.S. v. Moon (2008).

16. Self-Incrimination • Fifth amendment guarantees no person can be compelled to testify against himself in a criminal proceeding. • Does not apply to corporations or partnerships.

17. §3: Due Process and Equal Protection • 5th and 14th amendments provide “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.” • Procedural and Substantive issues.

18. Procedural Due Process • Procedures depriving an individual of her rights must be fair and equitable. • Constitution requires adequate notice and a fair and impartial hearing before a disinterested magistrate.

19. Substantive Due Process • Focuses on the content or substance of legislation. • Laws limiting fundamental rights (speech, privacy, religion) must have a “compelling state interest.” • Laws limiting non-fundamental rights require only a “rational basis.”

20. Equal Protection • Strict Scrutiny. • Laws that affect the fundamental rights of similarly situated individuals in a different manner are subject to the “strict scrutiny” test. • Any “suspect class” (race, national origin) must serve a “compelling state interest” which includes remedying past discrimination.

21. Equal Protection • Intermediate Scrutiny. • Applied to laws involving gender or legitimacy. • To be constitutional laws must be substantially related to important government objectives. • (EXAMPLE: Illegitimate teenage pregnancy).

22. Equal Protection • The “Rational Basis” Test. • Applied to matters of economic or social welfare. • Laws will be constitutional if there is a rational basis relating to legitimate government interest.

23. §4: Privacy Rights • Fundamental right not expressly found in the constitution, but derived from 1st, 5th and 14th amendments. • Laws and policies affecting privacy are subject to the compelling interest test. • The PATRIOT Act (post 9-11 attack).